More Than A Weekly Service (By Dan Adams)

I’m curious… What’s your favorite part about church? I don’t mean the church building. I’m also not referring to the hour a week service. I’m talking about the aspects of Christian Community that come from being a part of Church Family. Specifically, what’s your favorite part of Parma Heights Baptist Church?
    
Since this format doesn’t easily allow for two-way dialogue, let me share with you some of my favorite parts of our church family. Here is a sampling of the many and tangible ways I’ve been blessed through PHBC.
    
  • Being known, heard, understood. Sometimes you just need to be with people who care about the real you; people who get you; people who truly care; people who appreciate the real and raw you. Some of my closest friends and confidants are from PHBC. It’s a blessing to be with like-minded believers. Even though we don’t always agree on all of the things, we’re bound to each other by the most important things.
  • Practical support. Friends from PHBC have been there to help when my AC has gone out, my car has stopped working – multiple times, and when we’ve needed help with childcare.
  • Prayer support. I know there are prayer warriors praying for me and my family – doing spiritual battle on our behalf. During intense times, they’ll stop and pray with me, not just for me.
  • Encouragement. My church family regularly lifts and builds me up. Sometimes that comes as a kind and timely word or note of encouragement and appreciation. Sometimes it’s as simple as being missed after an absence.
        
After a year of social distancing, isolation, and separation, it’s easy to forget the many benefits of the in-person gathering of believers. It’s easy, and sometimes too comfortable, to boil our church experience down to an hour a week service or a live stream on a screen.
     
While both of these are powerful expressions of our faith, there’s so much more to being Children of God, adopted into a family of believers. When I’m away from my church family for any amount of time, there’s a longing and craving in my soul. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are made for Christian Community.
    
Our personal experience isn’t the only witness to this. The early church thrived through a vibrant Christian Community.
    
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
    
So, let me ask you again: What’s your favorite part of PHBC? If it’s been a while since you’ve gathered with your church family – let me invite you back. We love and miss you – and can’t wait to see you soon.